Rousseff proposes referendum for Brazil political reforms

By Mariano Castillo, CNN

Updated 1608 GMT (2308 HKT) June 26, 2013

Photos: Protests in Brazil25 photos

Protests in Brazil – Police fire rubber bullets at a protester during clashes in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday, June 20. Demonstrations in Brazil began in response to plans to increase fares for the public transportation system but have broadened into wider protests over economic and social issues. Since then, both Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro have agreed to roll back prices on bus and metro tickets.

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Photos: Protests in Brazil25 photos

Protests in Brazil – A riot police officer confronts demonstrators in Rio de Janeiro on June 20.

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Protests in Brazil – Photographers wait for a riot police officer to fire rubber bullets on June 20 in Rio de Janeiro.

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Protests in Brazil – Brazilians protest against price hikes in Belo Horizonte on June 20.

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Protests in Brazil – Horse-mounted riot police confront demonstrators in Rio de Janeiro on June 20.

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Protests in Brazil – Demonstrators stand on a statue in Niteroi outside Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday, June 19.

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Protests in Brazil – Protesters overturn a bus in Niteroi on June 19.

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Protests in Brazil – Riot police take positions during a protest in Sao Paulo on Tuesday, June 18.

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Protests in Brazil – Hidden in the peaceful multitudes are bands of rowdies, leaving rubble in their wake, including this store in Sao Paulo on June 18.

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Protests in Brazil – Students gather at Praca da Se in Sao Paulo on June 18.

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Protests in Brazil – A press car burns in front of Sao Paulo City Hall on June 18.

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Protests in Brazil – An unidentified person carries a television out of a store in Sao Paulo on June 18.

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Protests in Brazil – People walk in Rio de Janeiro on June 18.

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Protests in Brazil – Riot police form a line outside the Government Palace in Sao Paulo, on Monday, June 17.

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Protests in Brazil – Protesters set a fire outside the Tiradentes Palace in Rio de Janeiro during a protest on June 17.

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Protests in Brazil – A riot officer holds a position in downtown Rio de Janeiro on June 17.

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Protests in Brazil – Thousands participate in the protest in Rio de Janeiro on June 17.

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Protests in Brazil – Piles of trash burn in the streets of Rio de Janeiro on June 17.

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Protests in Brazil – Protesters clash with riot police in front of Rio de Janeiro's Legislative Assembly building on June 17.

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Protests in Brazil – Protesters clash with riot police on June 17.

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Protests in Brazil – A riot police officer receives help after clashing with protesters on June 17.

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Protests in Brazil – A protester receives assistance after being shot in the leg in Rio de Janeiro on June 17.

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Protests in Brazil – Two men look at smashed ATMs in Rio de Janeiro on June 17.

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Protests in Brazil – People stand atop the National Congress building in Brasilia, Brazil, on June 17.

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Protests in Brazil – Thousands stand in the gardens of the National Congress in Brasilia during a protest on June 17.

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Story highlights

Brazil's president proposes a referendum on political reforms

Dilma Rousseff addresses several of the protesters' complaints

She promises more funding for health and education

She also meets with protest leaders for the first time

In the wake of massive anti-government protests, Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff proposed a referendum as a way to place political reform in the public's hands.

The past weeks have seen the biggest demonstrations in decades, with tens of thousands taking to the streets in cities across the country.

The protests started with outrage over a public transportation fare hike, but quickly ballooned to encompass a number of grievances against the government.

Rousseff on Monday responded directly to some of the protesters' demands, outlining five "pacts" on social issues.

Among those was a proposal for a referendum "to make the political reforms that the country needs," she said.

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The message the government is hearing from protesters is that they want more change faster, Rousseff said.

"The streets are telling us that the country wants quality public services; that they want more efficient mechanisms to fight corruption that ensure the proper use of public money; that they want political representation that permeates a society where, as I said before, citizenship -- and not economic power -- is put first and foremost," she said.

She spoke at a meeting with governors and mayors.

Her other recommendations:

-- Fiscal responsibility with an emphasis on inflation control and economic stability.

-- Acceleration of investment in health care, including money for hospitals and health clinics, incentives for doctors to practice in needy areas, and the hiring of foreign doctors where shortages exist.

-- Public transportation improvements to the tune of 50 billion reals (U.S. $22 billion), new infrastructure, and a national council on transportation.

-- Boost public education by asking Congress to set aside 100% of oil revenues for schools.

These proposals align with the most common refrains heard during the protests -- that money is squandered instead of being used to improve the situation of Brazilians.

"Together with the people we can solve large problems," Rousseff said. "There is no reason to be inert, complacent or divided."